Views of the United States Cruiser, USS Houston (CA-30) underway in calm seas. Closeup of her 8-inch guns in triple turrets. A large group of men march at an outdoor ceremony, intended to enlist a thousand men to make up for those lost in the sinking of the USS Houston during the battle of Battle of Sunda Strait, after the battle of Java Sea, in World War 2 (February 1942). A wooden model representing the lost ship is part of the ceremony. It contains words,"Remember the Houston," on its bow. Scene shifts to the Loew's State theater, at 1014 Main Street. A group of U.S. naval officers, in dress whites, stands on a platform in front of the theater marquee. They administer the oath of allegiance to the crowd of volunteers standing in front them, who all raise their right hands as they take the oath. Film closes with view of a Northhampton-class cruiser firing her guns.

The film 'Sea power in the Pacific' showing Japanese dominance in China and at start of World War 2. Then it chronicles U.S. efforts to build Navy and fight back on sea and in the air. Opening scene shows Japanese Mitsubishi G3M (Type 96) bombers high overhead, and then closeup in formation. View from bomber of bomb bays open with bombs falling and view from ground of explosions and destruction. Overlay on film says: "China---1931." (This is not correct. The G3M bomber was not yet in service.) This film depicts Japanese attacks during second Sino-Japanese War, commencing 1937, Chinese civilians running to escape Jap;anese bombing of Singapore. Buildings destroyed and on fire. Next, Japanese troops, carrying the Rising Sun flag, are seen establishing a beachhead in an Amphibious assault. More scenes of Japanese infantry advancing through Singapore, ad it is being destroyed and burned. Soldiers charging along an alleyway, with pagoda in background. Next, Japanese soldiers are seen attacking Nanking, and committing atrocities during the so-called "Rape of Nanking," in December, 1937. Chinese civilians being summarily shot and dumped into a large open grave. Two Chinese prisoners with hands bound, being executed by rifle fire. Jubilant Japanese troops celebrating their victory. Map shows areas of China occupied during second Sino-Japanese war and the East Indies to the South. View of oil tanks; an open pit tin mine; a native cutting rubber tree bark to collect latex. Flags on map show regions of English, French, and Dutch colonial interest. It also shows Islands to the East, fortified by the Japanese. Cartoon shows Japanese soldier opposed by and American sailor (representing U.S. Sea Power). Next, famous images of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, December 7, 1941, are shown, including the USS Arizona burning and sinking. Hawaii, Midway, Wake, and the Philippines Islands, are highlighted on a map and Japanese control of the Pacific is illustrated. Japanese soldiers are seen displaying a captured American flag. U.S. Lieutenant General Jonathan M. Wainwright is seen surrendering the garrison at Corregidor, on May 6, 1942. View of Japanese General Masahara Homma discussing surrender terms with Wainright. Map shows interlocking web of Japanese fortified bases in Pacific and need for seapower to oppose it. View of American shipyard with hundreds of workers, employed to build ships for the war effort, in World War 2. Views welding, metal fabrication, and other shipbuilding activity. A new ship going down the ways and a woman christening a new ship with splash from bottle of champagne. A new "Liberty Ship," the Richard Bassett, going down the ways at Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard Inc. Baltimore, Maryland. Closeup view as the stern of another ship enters the water upon launching. View of it from a distance. Shipyard workers knock supports from under what may be a landing craft, as it is launched. Japanese warships underway in the Pacific and firing their naval guns. Explosions on a shoreline from naval bombardment. Japanese infantry wading ashore during an amphibious assault. Map shows where Japanese forces attempt an amphibious assault on Southern New Guinea, thwarted by the U.S. Navy in the battle of the Coral Sea of May, 1942. In June, 1942, a Japanese attempt against Midway Island, was again checked by the U.S. Navy in the Battle of Midway. View of USS Wasp (CV-7) carrier deck filled with airplanes, including Grumman F4F Wildcats. A Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber being cleared for takeoff from the Wasp. Gun camera film showing Japanese airplanes being shot down by pursuing U.S. aircraft.

USS Blenny underway in the Java Sea, off the Coast of Borneo, during World War 2. Interior of the USS Blenny, with periscope being lowered, and then raised for the captain to look through during her successful sinking of Japanese Shokaku Steamer. (Due to heat, the captain is not wearing uniform shirt.) He lowers the periscope. Another crew member looks through the periscope.

Scenes from the Japanese South Seas Force invasion of coastal New Guinea in March 1942, during World War 2. Stern of a ship. Smoke rising from a ship in the far background. Japanese warships underway at sea, mountains in the background. A Japanese man on deck of warship, paints picture of historic naval victory. Animated map showing Northern Australia and New Guinea, with animated bombs falling on Port Moresby and flags showing Japanese-held positions at Lae and Salamaua on the coast of the Solomon Sea, to the North. A view of the coastline on the Solomon Sea. Japanese troops are seen in a column making their way through the jungles.They stand with the rising sun battle flag and proceed further, pulling field pieces and carrying other war materiel. View from inside a dwelling, as the Japanese troops enter town of Lae. Destroyed hangars and aircraft at the Lae airfield, which the Japanese bombed on January 21, 1942. The Japanese rising sun flag flying on a tall flag pole. Japanese ships in harbor.